UEFA Women’s Euro 2025: France Defeats England; Lionesses First Ever Defending Champions to Lose Opener
Updated July 6, 2025 – 4:53 p jiliko com.m. ET
England made history for all the wrong reasons as they kicked off the defense of their Women’s European Championship title, suffering a 2-1 defeat to France on Saturday. Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Sandy Baltimore found the back of the net with two quick goals late in the first half, marking France’s ninth consecutive victory and surprising the reigning champions.
Keira Walsh managed to pull one back three minutes before the end of the match, but it was not enough to stop England from becoming the first titleholder to lose their opening match at the Women’s Euros. This match also ended England coach Sarina Wiegman’s remarkable unbeaten streak in the tournament, having previously won 12 out of 12 matches. She led the Netherlands to their title before guiding England. 8k8 com download
The Lionesses will next face the Netherlands on Wednesday and will go up against Wales in their final group match four days later. In the earlier match of Group D, the Netherlands triumphed over Wales with a score of 3-0.
France was missing their injured captain Griedge Mbock, while England welcomed back Lauren James, who made her first appearance since suffering a hamstring injury in early April.
James almost gave England a dream start, creating a clever run into the box within the first 40 seconds, but her shot went just over the bar. Alessia Russo had a goal disallowed in the 16th minute after she turned in the rebound from Lauren Hemp’s saved shot due to a tight offside call on Beth Mead in the buildup. online casino philippines
Following this, France began to take control of the game pldt 777 casino login registration. Sakina Karchaoui nearly scored a stunning goal, attempting to chip Hannah Hampton, only for the ball to hit the side-netting. Hampton was kept busy with several impressive saves before France broke the deadlock in the 36th minute. Elise De Almeida intercepted the ball in her half, surged down the right wing, and delivered a low cross to Katoto, who tapped in at the back post.
France extended their lead just three minutes later when Baltimore skillfully dribbled into the box, and Lucy Bronze’s attempted tackle inadvertently kept the ball in play, allowing the Chelsea forward to curl it into the far side of the net.
At the beginning of the second half, France nearly went further ahead, with Hampton having to recover quickly to prevent the ball from crossing the line after misjudging a shot from Grace Geyoro.
Remarkably, England had not managed a shot on target before they finally found their footing late in the game. phcity app cc A cleared corner fell to Walsh at the edge of the area, and she calmly controlled it before firing into the top right corner, marking only her second international goal.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
What are your thoughts on England’s performance in their opening match?
